The Minister of State for women and child welfare Rekha Arya held a meeting on Tuesday regarding the safety of the women inmates residing in the shelter homes in view of the alleged sexual exploitation of 34 inmates, mostly minor girls, in the homes in Muzzafarnagar and other places.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister made it clear that her department would not brook any such thing happening in the Government-run homes. “The responsibility of the employees on duty will be fixed. CCTV cameras would be installed and the registers would be maintained in all the shelter houses for the women and the children. The duty of monitoring would be given to the superintendent,” she said.
She, further, said that a third party would be formed for inspection of the shelter homes. Besides, a committee would be constituted under the direction of the District Magistrate which would conduct the inspection once every three months. Along with this, there would a committee comprising the social activists, physicians and others, she added.
Furthermore, all the shelter houses would be provided with definite facilities, she said, adding that every shelter house run either by the Government or the non-government body would be inspected. “Also, strict actions will be taken against those who will be found not complying with the norms.” A proposal of social audit was also placed in this regard.
Among others who attended the meeting included the additional secretary of women welfare Ramvilas Paswan, section officer Pritam Singh, review officer Vipin Kumar and chief prohibition officer Mohit Chaudhary.